Former Limerick man admits role in Montco meth ring

NORRISTOWN – During what prosecutors claimed is a significant development in the dismantling of a methamphetamine trafficking ring in Montgomery County, a former Limerick man appeared in court to admit to his role as one of the “main suppliers” of the organization.

Troy Dudas, 36, formerly of the 100 block of Mine Run Road, Limerick, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to felony charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, dealing in unlawful proceeds and conspiracy in connection with incidents that occurred between December 2011 and March 2012.

“He was one of the main suppliers in this case, bringing methamphetamine from Philadelphia here to areas of Montgomery County, whether it be Lansdale, Hatfield or other places,” alleged Assistant District Attorney Jason Whalley, who characterized the guilty plea a major development in the case. “It’s a big deal for the community because a methamphetamine dealer is now a convicted felon, awaiting sentencing.”

Judge Thomas G. Gavin, a visiting senior judge from Chester County, deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigative report about Dudas, who also listed a Philadelphia address. Dudas, who potentially faces mandatory sentences ranging from five-to-seven years in prison on some of the charges, remains in the county jail without bail pending sentencing.

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Whalley vowed to seek a state prison sentence against Dudas, citing the dangerous nature of methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous drug. When people are using it they are unpredictable. When people are using it they lose all inhibitions and there’s no predicting what they can do. It’s very, very dangerous,” Whalley alleged.

Dudas was one of 32 people, many of whom lived in Hatfield, Schwenksville, Lansdale, Gilbertsville, Phoenixville, Royersford, Lower Providence, Limerick, North Wales, Blue Bell and Philadelphia, who were arrested in May in connection with their alleged roles in the operation as distributors, users or pushers of the expensive drug.

Among the other targets of the investigation were brothers Jeffrey and David Penna who allegedly used and distributed methamphetamine from Jeffrey Penna’s residence in the 1200 block of Cabin Road in Hatfield Township, authorities alleged. Jeffrey Penna is still awaiting court action on drug-related charges.

David Penna, 36, who court papers indicate resided in the 1800 block of Valley Forge Road in Lansdale, pleaded guilty this week to one count each of delivering methamphetamine and conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine. Judge Gavin sentenced David Penna to four years’ probation under a plea agreement.

Last week, Francesco “Frank” Messina, 43, of the 600 block of Garfield Avenue, Upper Gwynedd, pleaded guilty to charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and conspiracy in connection with the investigation and remains free on bail while awaiting sentencing.

Specifically, Messina admitted to directly delivering more than two grams of meth to an undercover detective on two occasions and to being involved in the delivery, conducted by some of his alleged co-defendants, of another five grams of the drug.

At the time of the arrests in May, county District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said the investigation of the organization began after she received an anonymous tip in the mail. Ferman turned the letter over to the county’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, which launched an investigation.

Members of the NET agency worked closely with police in Souderton, Lansdale, Hatfield, Lower Providence and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency branch in Philadelphia to gather enough evidence to obtain state Superior Court approval for wiretaps on the cell phones of Messina and Dudas between February 8 and 29, according to court papers.

The investigation also revealed links to a Philadelphia methamphetamine distribution ring, according to court documents.

The investigation did not uncover a methamphetamine manufacturing facility in the county.

The wiretap interceptions resulted in 14 searches of properties throughout Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. During the searches authorities seized quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and less than a dozen firearms, prosecutors alleged. While large quantities of the drug were not confiscated during the investigation, authorities said the dismantling of the organization is still very “significant.”